Suction cleaner



Aug. 19, 1941. L 2,253,309

SUCTION CLEANER 5 Sheeos-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7, 193a 2 6 Donald 6'. J'melll'e BY 1%? ATTO RNEY INVENTOR D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER Aug. 19, 1941.

Filed Jan. 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2:92. 6 INVENTOR Donald G. Smellie ATTORNEY ff'y' Aug. 19, 1941. D. G. SMELLIE SUGT ION CLEANER 5 Sheets-Stieet 3 INVENTOR Donald G. Jmellz'e Filed Jan. 7, 1938 ATTORNEY Aug. 19 1941. D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER Filed Jan. 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EY Patented Aug. 19, 1941 SUCTION CLEANER Donald G. Smellie, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January '7, 1938, Serial No. 183,741

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and particularly to new and novel agitating means and the, controls therefor in a suction cleaner. More specifically the invention comprises a suction cleaner which embodies brushing and beating meanswhich are selectively controlled by the operator in order that the cleaner may function as an air cleaner without agitatingmeans, as a cleaner embodying brushing means, as a cleaner embodying beating means, or as a cleaner embodying both brushing and beating means.

It is an object of the present invention to'provide a new and improved suction cleaner. It is another object of the invention to provide a suction cleaner incorporating new agitating control means. Still another object of the invention is to provide a suctioncleaner in which brushing and beating means are selectively controlled by the cleaner operator; .Still another object of the inventionis to provide a suction cleaner which can function as a straight air cleaner, as a cleaner embodying brushing means, or heating means, or brushing and beating means combined. A still further object of the invention is to provide new and novel control means for the agitating means in a suction cleaner A further object of the invention is to provide new and novel disconnecting means between the driving power source and the agitating means in a suction cleaner. These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering inconnection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring nowrto the drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed and in which the same reference character refers to the same parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the cleaner ,em-

bodying the present invention with certain parts broken away and the electrically operated clutches shown in section; t

Figure 2 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows upon the line 2-2 in Figure 1 and shows the cleaner in side elevation with a vertica section through the nozzle; 1

Figure 3 is a section through the agitator power-transmission means upon the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail showing the wiper contacts by which the currentis transmitted to the rotat ing clutch magnet of the first embodiment of the invention; i t

Figure 5 is a section upon the line 5-501 latter use the suction cleaner proper provides Figure 1 'and discloses the rotary brush support ing means;

Figure 6 is a partial longitudinal section through the supporting means for the rotary brush and reciprocating beater element upon the line 6--6 of Figure 5; n v

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the cleaner with the handle in the vertical position, with the dusting tool attached, and with a portion of the casing broken away to show the automatic control means by which the motor speed is increased;

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical section through the cleaner with the handle in the horizontal position;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the handleposition-controlled switch;

Figure 10 discloses the extreme end of the handle with the markings upon the rotatable agitator control switch;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit of the first embodiment;

Figure 12 is a section through a second preferred embodiment of the magnetic clutches for the agitating means, being a showing similar to that found in Figure 1 for the first embodiment;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit of this second embodiment;

Figure 14 is a bottom view of a cleaner embodying a third form of the present invention in which the magnetic clutch means are positioned within the cleaner nozzle;

Figure 15 is a section throughthe nozzle casing upon the line |5--l5 of Figure 14;

t Figure 16 is a longitudinal section through the agitator in the cleaner nozzle upon the line,

- connected to a current source in the cleaner.

The modern suction cleaner is adapted to be 'operatedupon all types of surface coverings and under varied conditions. It is adapted for onthe-fioor use and for off-the-fioor use. In the the suction which is efiective through dusting tools connected thereto and through which the cleaning air is drawn, the floor cleaning nozzle of the machine proper being inoperative. In the on-the-fioor cleaning relationship the air moving power of the cleaner cooperates with the agitating means thereof to effect dirt removal from the surface covering undergoingcleaning. 3 The operator may wish to use only the brushing means of the cleaner in cases where the surface covering is in fact clean and only a pile straightening effect is desired. Or the operator may desire to use solely the beating means and to render inoperative the brushing means which are relatlvely ineffective in dislodging the embedded dirt from a surface covering. In the suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the present 111- vention and as hereinafter fully disclosed, the operator can control the machine to obtain any of the relationships desired as set forth Referring again to the drawings and to Figures 1 to 11, inclusive, in particular, the first preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. The cleaner nozzle I, together with the rearwardly and upwardly extending passageways 2 and 3' cooperate with rearwardly extending frame members 4, 4 to form an ambulatory chassis which is movably supported by front wheels 5, 5 and by rear wheels 6, 5. The front wheels are themselves positioned upon the offset ends of a crank I mounted on the underside of the chassis there being provided a manual adjustment 8 by which the forward end of the machine may be raised and lowered to adjust the height of nozzle.

Rotatably supported between the passageways 2 and 3 in a manner forming no part of the present invention, but which is fully disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 709,073, now Patent Number 2,225,621, filed in the name of Chandos Burkhardt, is a motor fan unit comprising a casing l0, Casing I is rotatably mounted by suitable bearings at l2 upon the passageways 2 and 3 and is interiorly divided into a motor casing and a fan chamber which house respectively a motor l3 and a fan Hi, the latter being carried by the motor shaft l5. An exhaust outlet l6 extends rearwardly from the fan casing portion of casing I0 and between the rear supporting wheels 6, 6 and a dust bag I! is removably secured to the end thereof by manually operable nuts I8, l8.

A handle socket 26 is formed on the casing l0 immediately above the exhaust outlet I6 and from it extends an elongated handle 2| which is removably secured in place by a transverse screw 22. The incoming current-carrying cord to the cleaner connects to the upper end of the handle, being indicated at 25, adjacent the normal handle switch 26 and the conductors thereof pass through the handle, through the separable plug elements 21 and 28 in the socket 26, and into the casing 16 where they are suitably connected to the electric motor and to the cleaner headlight 30 which is positioned within a headlight casing 3| formed upon the upper surface of the nozzle chassis. The precise electrical interconnections will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The fan chamber portion of casing l6 which houses the suction-creating fan I4 is directly open to the passageway 2 leading into the nozzle and this passageway functions as an air conduit by which air is drawn by the fan from the nozzle, through the fan chamber, and is exhausted from the exhaust outlet l6 into the filter bag l1. At the opposite side of the casing Ill the motor shaft I extends into the passageway 3, which is in fact a belt channel, where it is formed as a pulley 34 to which connects a power-transmitting belt 35.

Within the cleaner nozzle l and arranged so as to contact the surface covering undergoing cleaning between the front and rear nozzle lips 31 and 3B is positioned a rotary brush 40 including bristles 41. Also between lips 31 and .38 an adjacent brush 46 is the reciprocating agitator comprising rigid elongated beater elements 42, 42 connected at their ends by frame elements 43, 43 one of which is shaped as an inverted T. Frame elements 43, 43 are pivotally mounted each by a pin 44 which it carries and which extends within a bearing seat 45 removably secured upon the inner face of the nozzle end wall by screws 46, 46. The rotary brush 4G is removably mounted within the nozzle between the frame elements 43, 43 at its opposite ends upon U-shaped brackets 48, 46 which are permanently attached to the nozzle end walls. The inner face of each bracket is provided with a downwardly opening slot 49 which receives and seats at its upper curved end the outer end of the agitatorsupporting shaft 50, there being a pivoted spring- I coming current SOUICB.

urged latch 5| which removably clamps the shaft in place in a common and well known manner.

Within the nozzle casing, but outside and to the rear of the nozzle proper, as defined by the nozzle lips 31 and 38 is positioned a stationary shaft 55 one end of which is supported in nonrotating relationship by a supporting wall 56. Upon this shaft 55 are mounted the electrically actuated disconnecting clutches for the agitators within the cleaner nozzle. These clutches include magnets 58 and 59 rotatably supported upon the shaft 55 by sleeve bearings 60, 66 and which are separated from each other by a pulley 6| of insulating material with which they form a rotatable unit. The pulley is formed on its sides with axially extending cylindrical walls 62, 62 which enclose and form insulating casings for the magnets 58 and 59. Each magnet has an electrical winding 64 and as these windings rotate as a part of the magnets they are connected to the encircling contact rings 65, 65, in the case of magnet 58 and 66,66 in the case of magnet 59. In contact with rings 65, 65 are wiper contacts 68, 68 and with rings 66, 66 contacts 69, 69; the wiper contacts being carried by the nozzle casing in such position as to be able to. contact the magnet rings and being connected to an in- Each magnet is formed with a peripheral flange H which serves as a pole face and is covered on its radial side with a friction lining 12.

At one end of the pulley-magnet unit, and adjacent the pole face of magnet 59, is an eccentric l5 whichis itself rotatably carried by a bearing sleeve 16 upon the stationary shaft 55. A seat at the end of reciprocating shaft 11 encircles the eccentric 15 which is rotatable therein, a bearing 18 being provided therebetween. The shaft 11 extends forwardly and through the rear wall of the nozzle by means of a flexible air-sealing sleeve 19 and, after making two right angles so that it extends parallel to the nozzle end wall connects through a pivot pin 60 to the upwardly extending end of the T frame 43 which carries one end of the beater elements 42, 42. Rotation of the eccentric 15 causes the arm 11 at its point of connection therewith to move in an orbit which has a horizontal translation equal to twice the eccentricity present in the eccentric. The forward end of the arm is translated horizontally to an equal extent and results in the pivotal movement of the attached frame 43 and the consequent vertical displacement of beater elements 42, 42 about their pivot points 44, 44.

Fixed to the eccentric 15 is a flexible disc 84 which is provided with a relatively heavy metallic rim element 85 extending immediately adjacent the friction lining 'IZ carried by the adjacent pole I which this result is obtained is disclosed.

face 1I. Disc 84 normally extends in-a radial plane about the stationary shaft 55 but upon the magnet 59 becoming energized by the passage of electric current through the coil 64 the rim element 85 is drawn to the peripheral rim or pole face 1| of the magnet until the friction material. 12 is compressed between the two metallic elements and the eccentric I is locked to the magnet and rotates therewith. I

At the opposite end of the stationary shaft 55 from the eccentric 15 and spaced therefrom by a second supporting wall 90, is a pulley 9| rotatably mounted upon the shaft by a sleeve bearing 92 within the wall 90 by a bearing so as to support both itself and the shaft 55. Pulley 9| carries a flexible disc member 94, similar to disc element 84 on the eccentric 15, and a metallic rim element 95 thereon is adapted to be drawn to the circular pole face 1| of the magnet 50 upon its coil 64 being energized, the friction material" being compressed therebetween. In this relationship the pulley 9| rotates with the pulley-magnet unit.

The supporting wall 90 for the shaft 55 forms a belt channel through being curvedso that its forward extremities abut the rear wall of the nozzle proper. Above the rear lip 38 an opening 96 is provided connecting the channel to the nozzle. so that a belt 91 may extend from the pulley 9I tothe pulley of agitator 40 within the nozzle. A removable bottom plate 99 closes the bottom of the beltchannel formed by the wall 90 as well as closing from the exteriorthe pulley unit aforedescribed. l

An additional feature of interest is the switch by which the motor speed is automatically changed as the cleaner handle is pivoted to the vertical or storage position. Referring to Flg-, ures 7, 8 and 9 in particular the structure by A handle-position-controlled switch IOI having a switch casing I02 of insulating material is positioned upon the forward interior wall of the casing I0 adjacent the motor I3. Stationary contacts I03 and I04 within the switch housing are suitably connected byelectrical conductors, as hereinafter explained, to the clutch magnets, and to one side of the field of the motor, respectively. Spring contacts I05 and I06 are adapted to contact the stationarycontacts I03 and I 04, respectively, in one position and are connected for conjoint movement by a bar I01 of insulating material. Bar I01 alsocarries a contact I08 which is so positioned as to contactr a stationary contact I09 when spring contacts I05 and I06 are spaced from stationary contacts I03 and I04, respectively. Contact I09 is connected to a mid-point of the motor field, by suitable electrical conducting means while contact I08, together with spring contacts I05 and I06 is connected by a bus bar IIO to the incoming current-carrying lead I21.

Because of the natural resiliency of lead spring contacts I05 and I06 they are normally in contact with stationary contacts I03 and I04, respectively, and the insulating bar I01 is so held as to separate contacts I08 and I09. This is the normal relationship of the contacts in the on-the-fioor cleaning relationship of the cleaner. Upon the conversion of the-cleaner to an oilthe-floor unit, however, it is desirable to increase the motor speed to effect greater suction and to remove from the electrical circuit the windings of the magnetic clutches. To accomplish this latter result, contact I05 must be moved from ing together contacts I08 and I09, the latter being connected to a mid-point of the field winding. Thisentire movement of contacts is accomplished by moving insulating bar I01 from contacts I03 and I04 and this is brought about upon the rotation of the casing I0 as the handle moves upwardly through the working range into the vertical position.

In Figure 8 the cleaner handle is shown in the horizontal position and an abutment element I12 carried by the movable contact-carrying bar I01 is seen to project outwardly through the casing I0. Upon.the rotation of the motor casing as the handle movs upwardly from the horizontal position, illustrated in Figure 8, to the vertical position, illustrated in Figure 7, the abutment element II2 moves with the casing and is contacted by a cam abutment or boss II3 on the nozzle which is so contoured as to force the element 2 into the casing. The movement of abutmentllz is directly transmitted to bar I01 and results in the separation of elements I05 and I06 from contacts I03 and I04, and the bringing together of contacts I08 and I09. Part of the motor field is now disconnected, contacts I04 and'I06 being open and the motor rotates at high speed, the clutch magnet windings being disconnected from the electric circuit of the machine by the opening of contacts I03 and I05.

Inaddition to the circuit'control exercised by the handle-position-controlled switch IOI, there is a manually operable clutch-controlling switch I I5 positioned at the end of the cleaner handle. Having a three-way snap action, switch II5 comprises a rotatable insulating knob II6 on the sides of which appear the notations Beater and brush, Brush and Beater. A fixed arrow on the handle end adjacent the knob is aligned with one of the three markings in each of the various switch positions. A rotatable contact element II1, to which a current-carrying lead I2I connects is operated by the knob IIG through a shaft H8 and knob rotation produces, by any suitable mechanism, snap-action rotation of this element. Being a three position contact permits element II1 to connect its currentcarrying lead I2I to either the lead II9, which causes current to pass through the winding 64 of beater clutch magnet 59, with lead I20, which causes current to pass through the winding 64 of brush clutch magnet 58, or with both leads I I9 and I20 causing both magnets to be energized.

Aside from the headlight 30, which is suitably connected, the electrical circuit of the cleaner is completed by the manually operable switch 26 which is positioned adjacent the cord 25 at its point of attachment to the cleaner handle 2|. Cord 25 includes leads I26 and I21 which are adapted to bring current into the machine and with the switch 26 in series with the power it controls at all times the flow of current.

Referring now to Figure 11 in particular the electrical circuit of this first embod ment of the invention is shown diagrammatically. Th incomingcurrent-conductlng leads I26 and I 21 are connected to the handle switch 26 and to the handle position controlled switch IOI respectively. From the contact I03 of switch IOI a lead m connects to the leads us and no which in turn connect directly to windings 64, 64 of the beater clutch magnet 59 and the brush clutch magnet 58, respectively. From the contact I09 of switch IOI a lead I24 connects to the midpoint of the motor field winding while from the contact I04 a conductor I28 connects to the external connection of the same field winding. The opposite side of the motor is connected by lead I29 to the lead I2I which is positioned between the handle switch 26 and the handle position-controlled switch II5. As one side of the motor connects directly to the handle switch 26 which is itself connected to the incoming power lead I26 it is clear that current will at all times pass through the motor with the switch 26 closed and also that its speed will be relatively fast or slow depending upon whether handle-positioncontrolled switch IOI has placed only a part or all of the field winding in the motor circuit, Cooperating with handle-position-controlled switch IOI in controlling the current flow through the windings 64, 64 of magnets 58 and 59 is the three position snap action switch or clutch switch II5. Whereas switch I'0I can connect or out both clutch magnets into and from the electrical circuit, switch H5 is seen to be able to connect or disconnect the magnets jointly and severally.

The operation of the cleaner constructed in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention is as follows: In on-the-fioor cleaning the conductor 25 is connected to a source of electricity and current passes into the machine. With the switch 26 closed current passes to the motor and to the switch IOI which is controlled by the angular position of the casing I and the handle 2|. The handle being in the working range, as illustrated in Figure 8, the switch IOI assumes the relationship illustrated in Figure 9 and also diagrammatically in Figure 11. Current passes through the cleaner motor which rotates at low speed, the entire field winding being in the circuit. The current also passes from the switch IOI through the lead I25 to the windings 64, 64 of the magnetic clutches. Depending upon the position of the three-position clutch switch II 5 the windings 64, 64 are in the'electrical circuit, are omitted from that circuit. or are both connected therein. The selection of beating or brushing agitation for the cleaner in the on-thefloor cleaning relationship is accomplished simply by turning the switch II5 until the notation corresponding to the agitation desired is opposite the arrow on the handle. When the knob H6 is positioned so that the marking Brush is adjacent to the arrow orr'tlrehandle current passes through the lead I20 to the coil 64 of the magnet 58. The magnetic fiux created by the winding 64 causes the metallic rim element 95 to be drawn to the pole face II compressing the friction material I2 and connecting the pulley 9| to the rotating magnet 58. This movement is permitted by the flexible disc 94 which carr es 95. The pulley 9| now rotates with'the shaft 55 and the' brush 40 is driven by the belt 97. The rotation of the pulley with the jack shaft 55 continues only as long as the magnet 58 is ener ized for upon the cessation of current fiow throu h ts winding 64 the flexible disc 94 flexes back to its normal radial position.

If the operator desires that the beater element alone agitate the surface coverin undergoin cleaning. he positions the knob I I6 so that the marking Beater is adjacent the handle arrow in which relationship the magnet 59 only is energlzed, The metallic rim 85 is drawn to the pole face II, the disc 84 flexing exactly in the manner of disc 94 and rim 95 of the brush clutch. The eccentric 15 now rotates resulting in the movement of the arm I1 and the pivotal movement of the beating element frames 43, 43 and the vertical reciprocation of the heating elements 42, 42.

Both brushing and beating elements can be actuated simultaneously by positioning the knob II6 so that the marking Beater and brush are positioned adjacent the arrow, in which case both energized clutches are closed. The magnets 58 and 59 are both energized and the brush pulley 9| as well as the agitator eccentric I5 rotate with the jack shaft 55.

If the operator desires to convert the cleaner into an off-the-floor cleaning machine so that dusting tools can be used therewith, he pivots the handle to the vertical position illustrated in Figure 7. The contact of the abutment element II2 with the cammed boss I I3 as the casing I0 rotated resulted in the movement of contacts I05, I06 and I08 of the switch IOI so that the coils 64, 64 of the magnets 58 and 59 are now completely omitted from the circuit regardless of the position of manual clutch switch II5. Fixed contact I04 which connects to the end of the motor field by lead I28 is now separated from the movable contact I06 and instead contact I'09, connected by lead I24 to the field midpoint, has been contacted by contact I08 and only part of the field winding is in the motor circuit. The motor now rotates at high speed and the agitators are declutched and inactive. Upon the removal of the cover plate I9 from the a r passageway 2 a dusting tool converter member I32, with attached flexible hose I33, can be connected to the fan chamber and so to the suction created by the rotating fan I4. Operation of the cleaner motor can at all times be controlled by the hand switch 26 whether the cleaner is used in on-the-fioor cleaning or offthe-fioor cleaning. Re-conversion of the machine to an on-the-fioor cleaner is obtained simply by the removal of the converter member, the replacement of the cover element I9, and the movement of the handle to the operating range or to the horizontal position.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, in particular, the second preferred embodiment of the electrical clutch mechanisms and the wiring diagram therefor are disclosed. In this embodiment, as distinguished from the clutch mechanisms of the first embodiment, the clutch me nets do not rotate at all times but are inst ad fixed. The wiper contacts necessary to the first embodiment are accordingly eliminated in this construction.

Referring to Figure 12, in particular, the structure there shown is adapted to be substituted in Figure 1 for the clutch mechanism there disclosed with but slight modification. The belt pulley I 50 is keyed to the jack shaft I5I which in the present embodiment is rotatably mounted at one end in a bearing sleeve I52 carried by the supporting wall 56. Clutch magnets I54 and I55 are fixedly secured to the casing I by screws I56, I56 etc. and are centrally counterbored to carry sleeve bearings I51, I51 for the shaft I5I which are aligned with bearing I52. Magnets I54 and I55 are provided with axially extending peripheral rims I58, I58 which act as pole faces, there being windings I59, I59.

Spaced from the sides of the magnets I54 and I55, respectively, are clutch plates I62 and Between the clutch plate I62 and magnet I54 is an eccentric I66 which is rotatably and slidably mounted upon shaft II by its bearing sleeve I61. 'I'he reciprocating shaft 11, described in the first embodiment, seats rotatably upon the eccentric by means of the bearing sleeve 18. Eccentric I66 is provided with radially extending side walls which appose the clutch plate I62 andthe pcripheral pole face I58 of the magnet I54 and its;

permitted axial movement allows it to contact either the clutch plate or the pole face.

Between the clutch plate I63 and the magnet I55 is positioned the rotatable pulley I10 rotatably and slidably mounted upon shaft I5I by a bearing sleeve I1I. Pulley I10, in a manner similar to, eccentric I66, is provided with side 'walls which appose the clutch plate I63 and the pole face I58 of magnet I55. Within the permissible axial movement of thepulley I16 it is adapted to contact on, one side the clutch plate I63 and upon the other side the poleface I56.

Within a counterbore in magnets I54 and I55 is positioned a coil spring I13 which in each case seats upon the magnet to exert an outwardly directed axial thrust upon the adjacent pulley or eccentric, a ball bearing I14 being positioned adjacent the end of the spring in each case to permit of relative movement with a minimum of friction. Normally the springs I13, I13 force the pulley I10 and the eccentric-I66 against the rotating shaft-carried clutch plates I62 and I63 respectively so that normally, in the absence of any magnetic pull exerted by the magnets I54 and I55, the pulley and the eccentric rotate with the shaft I5I. The passage of current through the coils I55; I59 of the magnets functions to draw the eccentric and the pulley against the adjacent magnet face to declutch them from the shaft permitting them to stand idle while the shaft rotates.

trical circuit to'accomplish this resultheing disclosed in Figure 13.

Referring to Figure 13, in particular, the electrical circuit of the second embodiment of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated and is seen to be basically the same as the circuit for the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, but

windings I59, I59 of magnets I54 and I55 is connected around the handle-position-operated switch IDI and directly to the incoming current-' carrying lead I21. The secondfeature by which the present circuit distinguishes from the first embodiment is in the provision of a second handle-position-controlled switch I15 which moves in synchronism with handle switch IIII of the first embodiment. Upon the movement of the cleaner handle and the rotation of the motor casing I0, switch IIlI moves to cause the motor to operate at high speed through the omission of a part of the field winding as described in connection with the first embodiment. Upon this same movement switch I15 interconnects lead I16 which is connected directly to the handle switch 26 with leads I11 and I18 which themselves con- Both magnets may be energized or they may be energized separately, the elecnect directly to leads I 26 and II! and so with the windings I53, I53 of magnets I55 and I54 controlling the brush and beater operation, respectively. As switch IIII moves into the high speed position, switch I15 directly connects the magnet windings to the incoming line regardless of the position of the manually operable clutch switch II5. The switch I15 functions then to short from the circuits of the two magnet windings I58, I59 the control switch H5 and establishes a current connection which will at all times pass through the magnet windings when the cleaner motor is operating at high speed thereby declutching both thebrush and the beater element.

'The operation of the second embodiment of the invention is substantially identical with the first embodiment from the standpoint of the ob server. The entire machine can be connected to or disconnected'from the circuit by the closing or opening of handle switch 26. In the onthe-floor cleaning with the cleaner handle in the operating or horizontal position the cleaner can be operated with the-beater alone, with the brush alone, or with the brush and heater at the operators election depending upon the position of the three position clutch switch II5. Both the brush-driving pulley I10 and the beater-driving, eccentric I66 are spring-held by springs I13, I13 against clutch plates I62, I63 which at all times rotate with the jack shaft and it is only when the controlling magnet for the pulley or the eccentric is energized that that element is declutched from the rotating jack shaft. With the handle moved to the vertical or storage position the motor speed is immediately increased and the three position switch I I5 isshorted from the circuit and both magnets are energized to declutch the heater and the brush during off-the-floor cleaning. The structural features of the machine except as described immediately above are identical with the first embodiment.

Referring now to Figures 14 to 17, inclusive, the third preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. This embodiment differs primarily from the preceding embodiments in that the magnetically operated clutches are positioned entirely within the nozzle proper instead in the rear thereof. A jack shaft is again provided in this embodiment but its function is solely to permit the belt to be connected at the most desirable point to the agitator, and also to seal completely the motor from the dirt-laden air ilarly to the jack shafts of the preceding embodiments, extends between the passage 3 and a belt tunnel near the side of the casing I formed by wall I66, being rotatably supported between the passageway and the tunnel by ball bearings I81, I61. Jack shaft I is provided with pulleys upon its ends, pulley I88 seating the belt 35 from the motor shaft pulley 34, while pulley I89 carries belt 91 which extends forwardly into the nozzle proper.

Agitator I90 is positioned within the nozzle mouth, where it is adapted to contact the surface covering undergoing cleaning between the nozzle lips 31 and 38, comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical body with one flat end and within which are removably seated brush elements I9I, I9I etc. A through-supporting shaft I92 rotatably and slidably supports the agitator body by means of sleeve bearings I93, I93, the shaft I92 itself being carried by the nozzle through having its end seated in central counterbores of clutch magnets I94 and I95. These last include laterally extending shoulder elements I91, I91 through which screws I98, I98 extend to secure the entire construction to downwardly projecting supports I99, I99 from the top of the nozzle.

At one end of the rotary agitator I90, positioned so as to receive the power-transmitting belt 91, is the rotatable pulley 202 which is carried by the shaft in fixed axial position by a ball bearing support 203. The side faces of pulley 202 extend. in radial planes and are lined with a friction lining 204.

Between the pulley 202 and the magnet I94 at the end of the nozzle is an eccentric 201 which is rotatably and slidably mounted upon the shaft I92 by a sleeve bearing 208. Eccentric 201 is provided with radial side walls of enlarged diameter which extend adjacent to the magnet I94 upon one side and upon the other side to the friction-lined face of pulley 202. A coil spring 2I0 within the counterbore of magnet I94 at all times urges the eccentric 201 toward the pulley face, a thrust bearing 2 being interposed between the spring and the eccentric to reduce friction.

-At the opposite end of the nozzle the magnet I95 supports the end of shaft I92 and is counterbored to seat the spring 2I0 which at all times urges the agitator I90 axially upon the shaft so that its fiat end plate contacts the lined face of pulley 202. In this case also a thrust bearing 2 minimizes the frictional losses. With both magnets de-energized the springs 2I0, 2I0 at the ends of the nozzle force the agitator I90 and the eccentric 201 into contact with the driven pulley 202 so that both rotate therewith.

In the present embodiment the vertically reciprocating beater elements 42, 42 are again carried by end plates 43, 43 which are themselves rotatably mounted by pins 2I4, 2I4 in suitable bearings 2 I5, 2I5 carried by the magnets I94 and I95 at the nozzle ends. Pins 2I4, 2I4 are located below and in vertical alignment with the agitator shaft I92, and the relationship is such that the pins may slide slightly into and out of their bearing seats to permit the assembly to be moved longitudinally of the nozzle within narrow limits. At the one end of the nozzle adjacent the magnet I94 the end plate 43 is provided with upwardly projecting arms 2I1, 2I1 which enclose and seat the eccentric 201 in such relationship that the rotation of the eccentric causes the arms 2I'I, 2I1 to be moved to pivot the entire assembly about the supporting pins 2I4, 2I4 and to cause the beater elements 42, 42 to reciprocate to beat a surface covering undergoing cleaning.

As in the previous embodiments each magnet at the nozzle end is provided with an electrical winding, here indicated by the reference characters 2I9, 2I9. Current is conducted to these windings of the magnets, which are themselves removable through the nozzle mouth upon the removal of the screws I98, I98, by upwardly extending knife blade contacts 220, 220 which seat within female contact members 22I, 22I'carried by blocks 222, 222 of insulating material at the tops of the nozzle ends.

The electrical circuit of this third embodiment of the invention is shown by Figure 13 and is identical with the second embodiment. In this case, as in that case, the heaters and the brush are disconnected from the driving source when the magnets are energized. When the magnets are de-energized the spring elements 2I0, 2I0 hold the agitator and the beater-driving eccentric 201 in contact with the driving pulley 202 in the nozzle. Upon closing the switch to energize magnet I94 the eccentric is drawn thereto compressing as it does so the spring 2I0. -When in contact with the magnet the opposite flat face of the eccentric is spaced from the pulley 202 and is not driven thereby. De-energizing the magnet permits the spring 2I0 to slide the eccentric, together with the beater bars 42, 42 and their connecting end plates which are all attached thereto by the arms 2I1, 2I1 of the one end plate 43, axially, the pivot pins 2I4, 2I4 sliding in their bearings 2I5, 2I5. Upon closing the switch to energize magnet I95 the agitator I is drawn axially on the shaft I92 against the force exerted by its spring 2I0 and from contact with the driving pulley 202. De-energizing the magnet permits the spring to force the agitator back into contact with the pulley.

The selective control of beaters and brushes by the three-position switch upon the handle is as taught in the previous embodiment and the conversion of the motor to its high speed relationship is automatic with the movement of the handle to the vertical storage position for dusting tool use as in the preceding embodiment. The present embodiment differs materially from the preceding embodiment through providing the entire agitating and declutching mechanism within the nozzle from which it is readily removable upon the removal of four screws I98, there being two such screws at each end of the nozzle which retain the magnets I94 and I95 in place. Their removal permits of the downward displacement through the nozzle mouth of the magnets and the agitating assembly which they support. Such displacement is accompanied by the separation of the knife blade contacts 220 from their seats 22I in each case. Replacement is'in an obvious manner.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, a casing, suction-creating means in said casing, a driving motor connected to said means, a surface-brushing means, a surface-beating means, power transmission means connecting said brushing and beating means to said motor, and manually operable means operable from the exterior of said casing to connect and disconnect said brushing and beating means selectively and independently to said motor.

2. In a suction cleaner. a body, a single electric motor, a beater and a brush in said body, and means operable exteriorly of said body to operate selectively 0r conjointly said beater and brush from said motor.

3. In a suction cleaner, a body, an electrically driven power source, a beater, a brush, power transmission means between said power source and said heater and brush, said beater, brush and transmission means being in said body, electrically operated clutches to connect and disconnect selectively said brush or beater from said power source also positioned in said body, and manually operable means exterior of said body to operate said clutches.

4. In a suction cleaner, a motor, a rotary brush, a reciprocating agitator, electrically operated clutch means between said motor and said brush and agitator, and single switch means to connect tatable element driven by said motor, a reciprocating agitator driven by said element, a rotary agitator driven by said element, clutch means on said element including electrical magnets rotatable therewith to connect or disconnect selectively said agitators from said element or to connect both agitators thereto, and manually operable control means to energize or de-energize said magnets.

7. In a suction cleaner, a driving motor, a shaft driven by said motor, an eccentric freely rotatable on said shaft, a pulley freely rotatable on said shaft, a reciprocatory agitator connected to said eccentric, a rotary agitator connected to said pulley, and clutch means comprising electrical solenoids so mounted and arranged as to clutch and declutch said eccentric and said pulley to the shaft, and manually operable means to control the flow of current through said solenoids to clutch or declutch selectively said reciprocatory or said rotary agitator to said shaft.

8. In a suction cleaner, a driving motor, a shaft, a pulley-magnet unit rotatable on said shaft and driven by said motor, an eccentric -unit, a rotaryagitator connected to said pulley,

and manually operable means to control the flow of current to said unit.

tion therewith, a non-rotating electrical magnet so mounted and arranged as to disengage said last mentioned means when energized, and switch means to control said magnets.

10. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a driven rotary member in said nozzle, a rotary agitator in said nozzle, a reciprocating agitator in said nozzle, means to connect selectively said agitators to said driven rotary member, electrically operated means to disconnect said agitators from said driven member and manually operable. control means for said connecting means positioned exteriorly of said nozzle.

11. In a suction cleaner, a driven member, a rotary agitator sli-dable into engagement with said member to rotate therewith, means to maintain such engagement, a reciprocatory agitator slidable into engagement with said member to be actuated thereby, means to maintain said lastmentioned engagement electrically actuated means to move said agitators from engagement with said member, and manually operable control means controlling said electrically actuated means.

12. In a suction cleaner adapted for on-thefloor and off-the-fioor cleaning, suction-creating means including a multi-speed multi-circuit electric motor, a handle, a surface agitator, means to connect and disconnect said agitator to said motor including electrically operated means, and switch means operated by movement of said handle to change the electrical circuit of said motor to increase its speed and to control the circuit through said electrically operated means to disconnect said agitator with said handle in the vertical position.

13. In a suction cleaner a driving motor, a shaft rotated by said motor, a pair of clutch surfaces rotatable with said shaft, means to drive said brush adapted to be clutched to one of said clutch surfaces,,means to drive a beater adapted to be clutched to a second clutch surface, means 9. In a suction cleaner, a driven shaft, a pulley freely rotatable on said shaft, means normally connecting said pulley to said shaft for rotation therewith, a non-rotating electrical magnet so mounted and arranged as to disengage said last mentioned means when energized, an eccentric freely rotatable on said shaft, means normally connecting said eccentric to said shaftfor rotanormally urging said heater and brush driving means into clutched relationship with said clutch surfaces, and electrically operated means selectively to overcome said last mentioned means to declutch said beater and brush driving means.

14. In a suction cleaner a driving motor, a

- shaft rotated by said motor, a pair of clutch sur- 

